Below is a video reviewing some of my paintings from 2023.
I’ve never been big on New Year’s resolutions, but I think it is a good thing to stop at some point and look at what you’ve done, where you are and where you’d like to be. I guess the beginning of a new calendar year is as good a time as any.
The past year I have worked to simplify all the parts of putting together a painting, so I can focus on really digging into the subject.
As you may know for years I’ve been using a limited palette of Ultramarine blue, Permanent Alizarin, Hansa Yellow and Titanium White. Doing this has forced me to learn every personality trait of these colors. Kind of like being married to someone for 25 years, and I am talking about a good marriage, (thank you, John).
I’ve also limit my brushes to mainly flats in nylon and hog bristle. I like my brushes to be slightly worn for the textures that appeal to me. I don’t like to soap and water, clean my brushes, but I use them often and rinse them with turp . I buy large quantities of brushes and throw them away when they get unworkable.
Sometimes as painters, I think we rely on a certain way of moving the brush to describe things in our work. I will be experimenting more with different types of mark making and just letting paint be paint.
I have a show coming up in November that will involve masks, so stay tuned.
Thank you for your friendship and support this year! -Diane
Click this link to see my end of the year recap video
Diane's Painting Blog 